Lifting jack



' Aug. 1s, 1925.

` l 1,549,795 W. G. PANCOAST LIFTING JACK `Filed July 23, 1923 lllinvention to overcome the disadvantagesl Patentedy Aug. i8, i925..

UNITED STATES WILLIAM G. IPANCQAST, GF TNILMETTE, ILLINOIS.

LIFTING JACK.

Application led July 23, 1923. Serial No. 653,078.

To all Lo/wm t may conc-era:

Be it known that l, WILLIAM G. PAN- coas'r, a citizen of the UnitedStates, and a resident of lililmette, in the county of Cook and State ofIllinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in LiftingJacks, of which' the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in lifting jacks, and moreparticularly to portable devices commonly used in connection withautomobiles for making repairs, and especially for lifting the wheelsfrom the Aaround in order to replace or change tires Referringparticularly to that type of jack extensively used for'automobile repairwork, the same is designed to be placed on the ground directly beneaththe axle, spring, or other substantial portion of the frame, and thenoperated to bring the upper end into engagement with the vehicle. Theoperation of acks in this manner is attended with some degree of danger,since there is the possibility of an insecure supporting contact betweenthe vehicle and the jack and the liability of injury to persons, shouldthe j ack slip and the vehicle suddenly be lowered to the ground.Furthermore, in placing1 the jack in proper lifting position it isfrequently diiiicult to do so properly without virtually crawlingbeneath the vehicle, particularly at the rear end thereof, where sparetires, bumpers, and other accessories extend some distance beyond thebody.

It is therefore the object of the present and eliminate the dangershereinbefore enumerated, as well as to provide a new and useful liftingdevice embodying` other features calculated to provide a more eiiicientand practical tool.

In the accompanying drawing a preferred construction for the improvedjack is illustrated, wherein Figure `l is a view partially in endelevation and partially in vertical section of the device,

Figure 2 is a view in vertical on line 2, 2 of Figure l,

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 3, 3 of Figure l, and

Figure l vis a cross-sectional view taken on line 4, 4; of Figure 2.

The preferred form of jack disclosed comprises two main elements commonto devices section taken of this character, namely, an upright stand-Aard or pedestal designed to rest upon the `ground, and having a base orfoot plate, and a vertically extensible shank. Various methods have beenadopted for operating the jack by extending or retracting the movableshank, the common forms being the ratchet type and the screw type, theformer involving the pumping action of a lever to lift the vehicle, andthe latter the rotation of a rod or shaft. Although either, or anysuitable type of lifting mechanism may be employed. l prefer to disclosethe so-called screw-jack type, since it permits the use of a longoperating handle which maybe manipulated at a distance from the point ofapplication of the jack itself.

Following the general combination of parts before included in such adevice, the

pedestal l comprises two main parts, namely, an internal and relativelystationary post 2, and an external rotative sleeve 3. The post' 2 hasformed integral with its lower end a base or foot plate l designed toafford aA substantial footing or support for the device. As clearlyshown in Figure 2, the post 2 extends upwardly from the center of itsbase plate Li, and is split or bifurcated from its top to bottom, thusforming two parts or halves with a slot or opening there- 55 between, inwhich is mounted for vertical sliding movement, the extensible shank 5.is clearly shown in Figure fi, the shank 5 resembles somewhat an I-beamsection, being slightly reduced in width throughout its central portion,thus providing interiitting guideways (as at 6) between the movingparts. rlhe sleeve 3 surrounds the post 2, the outer faces of the latterbeing curvilinear to conform to the internal circumference of thesleeve. This sleeve is rotative and is supported at its lower end upon aroller step bearing 7 sunk in an annular raceway 8 formed in the upperface ofthe base plate a at the lower end of the post 2. A flange orradial enlargement 3a is formed at the lower end ofthe sleeve whichpartially rides in the raceway 8, thus centering the sleeve in itsrotative movement. l

The internal surface of the sleeve -is tapped from end to end withsquarehelical screw threads of comparatively large pitch which mesh witha threaded portion 5a at the lower end of the shank 5, the threads beingof the same formation and pitch as those of the sleeve 3. As clearlyshown in Figure 1i, the threads of .the ,shank 5 are formed along theopposite sides thereof, and project into engagement with thecomplementary threads oit the sleeve.

The upper end of the sleeve 3 terminates below the end of the post 2,which it surrounds, thereby allowing tor the mounting` ot a cap member 9in screw threaded connection with said post. rhe cap member is providedwith a marginal flange fitting over the upper edge ofthe sleeve andproviding an end bearing there'tor. Formed integral with the cap memberis a housing 10, arranged tangentially with respect to its periphery,said housing forming a bearing and enclosure tor a worin 11 and worinsha'tt 12 extending from said housing. Cut in the upper edge ot' thesleeve 3 and extending` around the same are segments ot worin teeth 13which mesh with the worm 11. The worm shait 12 terminates in a squaredend 12zl adapted to take the socketed end ot a removable shaft (notshown) which is attached when the jack is to be operated.

Obviously by rotating the worm shaft 12 the sleeve 3 is rotated throughthe toothed engagement of the worm 11 with the teeth 13, and that therotation ot the sleeve imparts a vertical movement to the shank throughthe threaded connection therebetween, thus causing the latter to beextended upwardly t or downwardly it the post is to be retracted) fromthe end of the relatively stationary pedestal 1, a distancesubstantially equal to the length ot the unthreaded portion ot saidshank. This is all a matter of practical mechanics and therefore needsno extensive explanation.

The shank 5, it will be observed`r extends from the upper cnd of thepedestal and by the cap member 9 when in '.tully lowered or retractedposition. This extended end port-ion serves as a support or connectionlor that part of the device having intimate contact or connection withthe vehicle. These parts will now be described. Mounted directly uponthe end portion et the column 5 is a collar 15 open at its lower end andprovided in its upper end with a rectangular opening 15a. The connectionis made between the,l collar and the end of the shank 5, by means ofbolts 16, 16. The portion ot the collar immediately above the bolts .isot increased thickness and torms a cavity 1'? of reduced diameter aswell as an internal downwardly facing shoulder which bears upon theupper end ot the shank at diametrically opposed points, as at 13, 18.

Mounted in the collai1 and connected therewith is the vehicle engagingmember 19 of the jack having the form of a hook with a lateral or sideopening, and resembling` the letter C. .fit the base ot the hook member19 is an integral stud 20, for the most part cylindric in form, buthaving just beneath a shallow boss 21 on the under side ot the hookmember, a squared portion 22 forming a key, which is adapted to litwithin the rectangular opening 15" in the collar 15. Surrounding thestud below the key 22 is a coiled spring 23 held in place by a. washer24- secured by a screw 25 to the end ot the stud.

The hook member proper 19 is designed and dimensioned so as toaccommodate the spring or axle ot' the automobile and to sustain theload to be supported thereby. is clearly shown in Figure 2, the hool:menzber is tapered from top to bottom, providing the more ruggedconstruction throughout the lower portions, as well as a wider bearingsurface along the lower horizontal branch. Moreover, the inner portionsoit the several branches ot the hook member are beveled, approaching av' -section throughout the vertical and upper horizontal branches. rlheextremity ot the upper branch is turned downwardly at 26 in a roundedend and at the extren'iit)v ot the lower branch a lug 2.7 is formed,thereby restricting the opening slightly, but affording' a stop toprevent the part engaged within the hook 'trom slipping or slidingoutwardly through the opening.

lt is further desi 'able to provide roller journalled in a recess formedin the under side ot the upper horizonta ln'aneh ot the hooi-. mer-"beras clearlj.' shown in This may be a roller o'ii relativelj.' smalldiameter and extended suhstanti: lly the or several .ength of thebearing` surface,

shorter rollers. The purpose et' such a roller is to facilitate themovement ot the jack along.' the spring o" axle in placing in theultiuu; i g' position and to permit it to ride over obstructions, suchrivet heads and the like, that may project troni the top e thereof.

j already suggesties, the weight et the le is supported upon the lowerhorizon- "h ot the hook member in the actual 'tii although the entiremeinter is uti. liried in tlrx application ot the pick. as wlll non' bedescribed. .issunung that one olI the rear wheels oi the vehicle is tobe raised 'troni the ound, the jack in its retra-fted position isapplied to the axle or the spring' by hoolfthe hook member over theselected part and allowing the remaining part to swing down intovertical position. bviously. it is not necessary' that the base ot thejack be lirst placed in proper position tor litting. since the hookedengagement holds the liack suspended until it is sui'llcientlf.rextended to ln'ing the vtoot ot' the same into contact with the ground,whereupon the I'ontiiwed extension ol" the jack seats it iirnily inplace and the weight ln'ou'ht upon the lower branch et' the hook member.

ior is it always necessary to apply the jack at the exactl positionwhere the lifting power is to be applied. For instance, the hooked endmay loo be hooked over the loWer part of the spring near its outer endassuming the springs are either full or three-quarters elliptical) andthe jack will slide, or is easilyv guided, along; the spring' to thedesired position beneath the vehicle and near the axle. t is for thispurpose thatthei-oller 23 is utilized. In this manner the placing of thejack is accomplished Without the inconvenience of crawlingr beneath thevehicle.

"lhis method of applying' a jack is quite the reverse of that practicedWith the ordinary device inasmuch as the jack is extended from thevehicle dovtn to the groi'ziid in stead of from the ground up to thevehicle.

ll/lanifestly the method of applying the jack depends on theconstruction of the vehicle, the point selected for its application, andthe part ofthe vehicle to be raised. For this reason the hooked end 19is adjustable about the vertical axis so that the opening of the hooked.member may be faced in the desired direction with respect to themeniber to be engaged and the direction which the Worm shaft. l2 willextend for the purpose of applying the operating' shaft. ily the sivivelconnection between the hook member 19 andthe collar it is thus possibleto pull the hook memberI axially With respect to the remaining` parts ofthe jack, thus releasing' the key 22 from its square seat 15a. rthisallows the hook member to be turned into any one of four positionsninety degrees apart, and then allowing the spring` to draw the sameback into normal position With the key in locking'position.

ik further feature of construction is the provision of a joint or hingeat the june tion of the loiver and vertical branches of the Cfshapedmember 19. As a preferable method of forming the hinge, the closed endof the loiver branch is provided With a forked or slotted portion 30adapted to receive a centrally disposed lug 31, integral with the hingedportion. This lug' conforms to the shape of the slot 30, which isextended ,laterally to provide an offset to take a hinge pin 32. Thehinged parts are designed to have bearingr Contact along shoulders at33, as Well as along diagonal faces 34 at the lower edge of the lug 3land at the bottom of the slotted portion 30. Spaced inwardly from thehinge pin 32 and on a line with theloiver edge ofthe lua" 31., areprovided registeringholes adapted to receive a removable lockingpin 35for securing the hinged parts together in normal position. A chain 36connects the pin 35 with a fixed pin 37 anchored in the lower branch ofthe hook member to secure the locking pin against loss. Thus, byremoving; the pin 35 the upper portion of the hook member can be swungdown and to one side as shown in dotted lines in Figure l, allowing' thejack to be used in the ordinary Way,

nerstood that do not Wish to be limited to the specific constructionherein shown and' described except in so far as set forth in theappended claims:

l, claim:

l. A lifting jack comprising a relatively stationary pedestal, anextensible shank having;- a laterally opening hooked shaped end portioncapable of rotative adjustment about the axis of said shank and meansfor locking said end portion in one of several rotatable adjustment.

2. A lifting device comprising,y a relatively stationary pedestal, anextensible shank mounted on said pedestal, a hook shaped end portionhaving swivel connection with said shank, said shank and hooked portionsbeing provided with interlocking` members, and yielda-ble means actingto hold said members in locking` engagement.

3. A lifting device comprising` a pedestal, an extensible shank, meansfor manually extending and retracting said shank, a C- shaped portionmounted at the end of said shank through the medium of a stud and socketconnection arranged to permit the sivivelling of said portion, said studhaving a key adapted to normally engage a complementary seatin saidrecess, and to be withdrawn therefrom to permit the adjustment of saidportion, and yieldable means acting to resist the Withdrawal of said keyfrom its seat.

el. A lifting` device comprising a pedestal, an extensible shank, meansfor manually extending and retracting said shank, a C- shaped portionmounted at the end of said shank and provided with a stud adapted toengage a socket in the end of said shank, said stud and socket having`an interlocking key and seat, and a yieldable member acting to resistthe withdrawal of said squared por tion from its seat.

5. A lifting device comprising` a pedestal, an extensible shank, meansfor manually extending and retracting said shank, a C- shaped portionmounted at the end of said shank, said portion having` an axiallydisposed stud extending into a socket in the end of said shank, and aspring' Within said socket acting` to resist the Withdrawal of saidstud, said stud and recess being provided with an interiitting key` andseat normally acting' to lock said portion from rot-ation upon saidshank.

6. A lifting device comprising a pedestal, an extensible Shankoperatively connected positions with said pedestal, actuating mechanismfor extending said shank axially of said pedestal and a laterallyopening hook shaped member' mounted at the end of said shank and capableof limited axial displacement relative to said shank, said member in oneposition of displacement being rotative into aplurality of positions ofadjustment and in another position to be locked to said shank andagainst rotation.

7. A lifting device comprising a pedestal. consisting of a post providedwith a foot plate, a rotative sleeve surrounding said post, a shankextending axially of said post and having screw threaded connection withsaid sleeve, a worm and worm shaft mounted at the upper end of saidpedestal and engaging teeth on said sleeve, and a hook-shapedobject-engaging member mounted in swivel connection at the end of saidshank.

8. A lifting device comprising a pedestal consist-ing of a post providedwith a foot plate, a rotative sleeve surrounding said post, a shankextending axially of said post and having screw threaded connection withsaid sleeve, a worin and worm shaft mounted at the upper end of saidpedestal and engaging teeth on said sleeve, and a C-shaped membermounted at the end of said shank and having swivel connection therewith,and coacting locking members for normally locking said member to saidshank and against relative rotative movement.

9. A lifting device comprising a pedestal consisting of a post providedwith a foot plate, a rotative sleeve surrounding said post, a shankextending axially of said post and having screw threaded connection withsaid sleeve, a worm and worm shaft mounted at the upper end of saidpedestal and engaging teeth formed in said sleeve, a cap member mountedat the end of said shank and having a socket formed therein, a C- shapedobject-engaging member mounted at the end of said shank and having anaxially disposed stud extending int-o said socket, and means permit-tingsaid C-shaped member to be displaced axially and rotated, and means forlocking said member in predetermined 1riositions of rotation.

10. A lifting device comprising a pedestal and an extensible shankhaving a hooked end portion consisting` of two hinged together parts,whereby the upper portion of said end portion may be swung intoinoperative position.

1l. A lifting device comprising a pedestal, an extensible shank, aC-shaped member at the end of said shank having a hinge at the junctionof the lower and vertical branches thereof, whereby the upper portionmay be swung into inoperative position, and means for locking the hingedpart in operative position.

l2. A lifting device comprising a lower branch forming a horizontalsupporting surface and vertical and upper branch portion hinged to oneend of said lower branch, and a locking` pin, for normally securing saidparts in C-shape and permitting the upper portion thereof to be swungout of operative position.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 19th day of July,A. D., 1928.

WM. G. PANCOAST.

